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Thread: Personal Training?

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    Member jagged's Avatar
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    Default Personal Training?

    I am wondering if anyone here works out with a personal trainer, and if so do you feel it is worth it? I have done pretty well exercising on my own and made good progress, but I'd like to kick my body into high gear and hopefully my $$$ into high gear as well. At a local gym I checked out, 3-60 min sessions a week would run about $160. I think it would be really motivating to have someone there personally cheering me on. On the other hand, I'm pretty self-motivated, and maybe I should just work hard on my own. Does anyone have any thoughts? If you use a personal trainer, what makes it worth it for you?

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    Personally, I don't think personal trainers are all that. LOL...that's funny as I used to be one. Actually, I think that you should use a personal trainer to learn proper technique. After that, you should be fine on your own. The reason for that being that a lot of personal trainers are afraid to "rip" their clients and have them feel sore because most people feel sore and then stop working out...which stops the cash flow. So, use a personal trainer to learn the movements and then go off on your own. If you feel like you're hitting a plateu, then utilize them again. A great book to get is the BodyBuilders Encyclopedia by Arnold Swarzenegger (sp?). Even if you do not want to get ripped like a body builder, you can still utilize the exercises in his book to push your routine up a notch. It's a great book...that and the book "Body for Life" by Bill Phillips. I have both of them and I love them.

    I hope that helps you a bit!

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    Member jagged's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    Thanks very much for the advice! I interviewed a trainer today who I'm pretty sure would not be afraid to get me working really hard. He actually has other clients who are dancers. I've got Body for Life and think it's a great book. I'm not a stranger to a weightroom but I feel like I'm shooting in the dark working with weights on my own--I don't understand which exercises are going to produce results, or how often I should do them, etc. I will check out the Arnold book, thanks for the suggestion. I *don't* want to look like a bodybuilder and am actually scared about losing my breasts if I get too muscular or my body fat index gets too low--does anyone know if this is a valid concern? I know it happens to female bodybuilders but maybe it is more related to steroid use (I think steroids contain a lot of male-type hormones). Definately will not be sampling those lol! But at this point I feel I could stand to lose a bit more fat and tone up some key areas (like my butt!). The trainer said he could "sculpt" me, which I thought was kind of funny. As long as he keeps his hands to himself!

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    God/dess Lexi's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    Jagged, I agree with Venus. Just use the trainer so that he shows you how to use the machines properly. Ask him to write you a routine, and then take it from there.
    Good luck girl

    Also, you wont lose your breasts unless you lose too much body fat. If you want to lose fat, you can do that with cardio AND weights do burn fat too, even when you arent working out.
    I have been working out for 4 years, and I train hard, and I dont look like a bodybuilder at all, so dont worry about that. Women always think they will get too big, and thats almost impossible, unless you are lifting like Chyna. LOL
    Good luck

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    Member jagged's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    Thanks very much for the good info/advice Lexi and Venus.

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    And machines don't work very well. Using free weights utilize the muscle groups more thoroughly as you need to not only keep the correct form but lift at the same time. The machine keeps the form for you, so you're really only doing 1/2 of the work. Using free weights (although they require a lot more concentration and work) sculpt your muscles much faster as you need to do 2x's the work.

    I still do not believe that you need a personal trainer to "sculpt" you. What you need is a personal trainer to give you the foundation for you to sculpt yourself. I used to be a personal trainer and I found that the clients that I gave the foundation to and then helped out every once in a while with form and a "boost" did much better than the ones that came to me every other day. Also, my clients that did free weights got results much faster than the ones who only did machines.

    You will not have to worry about looking like a body builder. You would need to hit the juice and then have a heavy 5 hour weight training session every other day. And, even if you lost some of your boobs (you most likely will), you will not notice it as much since you will be working out your pecs and as they become more defined, they push the existing breast tissue out so there may be less "fatty tissue" there, but they'll still be "perky". Does that make sense?

    Also, I always suggest working out with someone else. That way they can watch your form and spot you...but, just make sure that you are not exercising your mouth muscles more that the other muscles...LOL...remember, it's important to work out all of the muscles evenly. haahaa And, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER work out one group of muscles without working their counterparts. For instance, if you work out your chest and biceps, do NOT stop your workout until you do your back and triceps. If you work your Quads, work your Hams...and abs...make sure that when you do ab work, you also work out your lower back muscles. Those are the most neglected muscles in the whole body. People do HUNDREDS of ab work, but totally neglect the lower back. So, just make sure that if you work out one group of muscles you work out it's counterpart. Not doing that on a regular basis will only cause your body to be "off"...and your chances of getting injuries will increase tenfold.

    If you have any questions about weight routines, etc., please do not hesitate to contact me. I was a personal trainer and instructor for 5 years and have been working out for about 9 years.

    Have fun and take care of yourself!!

    --Venus

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    Oh, yeah...and do a light 5-minute cardio warm-up before lifting. Follow the cardio with completely stretching the muscles. After lifting, make sure you stretch. Weight lifting gives you strength, but if you do not stretch enough, it can also cause you to be less flexible...and losing flexibility can also cause injuries.

    In short, just stretch.

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    Veteran Member Brooklyn's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    I have a Personal trainer and I love her ...The Best advice i can give you is check there cerifications and ask them if they are a certified nutrionist and check all of there references and im sure you can check out the certifications through the board on each one of there certifications .... but i like my one on one cause she is always there pushing me and we do something new all the time i have lost 5lbs and 2% body fat in two weeks and i could not be more happer ... if you go with the trianer you have choose give him or her a grace period and if you do not see results or any kind of definition in 6-8 weeks then let them know your not happy and consider getting someone else but be sure who ever it is , that they are certified and know what they are doing... HTH

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    Featured Member Juliette_deSade's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    I love my personal trainer! I think he is totally worth the $30/hr I spend on him. He's kinda masochistic, which I like.; also very knowledgable. He is getting a degree in biology and really applies it to the sessions. Gives me great diet advice. He has become a good friend also.

    And the results are amazing! I have never been so satisfied with my body. I've lost fat and gained muscle. My trainer pushes me harder that I could have pushed myself. You are less likely to give up early on the stair machine if someone is watching you.
    Of course s/he should be someone you are totally comfortable with.
    The Texas Pin-up Stripteuse!

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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    hi .. ive been going to a pt for about 3 months now could only afford 2x's a week (very cheap .. just $28 a session at this place.. others around here are way more)
    olympus gym.. not sure if one near you

    well im not seeing great results because i sit on my arse alot and only go 2xs a week
    but i have seen changes..

    its low reps at a HIGH intensity.. i could never do this on my own .. id give up.. when i feel im about to die he makes me do 6 more.. sometimes i feel like passing out and afterwards i feel like jello
    but my stubborn areas are starting to take "real" shape
    im goign to keep it up..

    he said hard muscle work is better than hours of cardio..after cardio your metabolism will eventually go back to normal.. muscle work lasts for days.. if you are still feeling sore.. your metabolism is still working overtime..
    thats why women get soft and me stay hard in old age.. cause they have more muscle

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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    It all depends where you are at. If you are knowledgeable about your own body,all the exercise equipment and how to properly use them, know how to take care of yourself, know how to get the results you desire then you're all set.
    If you don't know much about your body, don't know how to maintain it, can't get the results you are looking for then a personal trainer might be able to help you.
    They can test you to assess your current fitness, create a nutrition and exercise program. to put you on track to get you your desired results. Health clubs usually offer you a complimentary trainer free. Try it , it couldn't hurt.

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    Veteran Member shedevil4260's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    My best friend (back in jr high and hs) had parents that owned a gym. They were also personal trainers. We would go in and work out and her parents would always be there for us for our hour work out. I loved it. It was like personal training for free. We'd only go in like once a week because I had a family membership at a bigger gym with a pool (which I love to swim). I got great results and new exercising ideas. Absolutely loved it. I signed up with a new gym and their offering me a free personal trainer for an hour. So I'll take them up on that offer. I like to be pushed and check out new exercises with the trainer. I'd only do it every once in awhile like the girls said.
    Lips, Hips, and Sugary Tits

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    God/dess Farrah_Holiday's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    Quote Originally Posted by Brooklyn link=board=5;threadid=6668;start=msg75161#msg75161 date=1077152131
    I have a Personal trainer and I love her ...The Best advice i can give you is check there cerifications and ask them if they are a certified nutrionist and check all of there references and im sure you can check out the certifications through the board on each one of there certifications .... but i like my one on one cause she is always there pushing me and we do something new all the time i have lost 5lbs and 2% body fat in two weeks and i could not be more happer ... if you go with the trianer you have choose give him or her a grace period and if you do not see results or any kind of definition in 6-8 weeks then let them know your not happy and consider getting someone else but be sure who ever it is , that they are certified and know what they are doing... HTH
    I couldn't agree more. I have had 3 personal trainers well make tha 4 with my current yoga instructor..
    The first 2 were full of crap and didn't even have certification. Trust your instincts when dealing with these people. The third trainer was the bomb !! She had tons of certifications and worked out a deal with me to train 6 times per week. We would go everywhere not just the gym. Stadiums doing stairs and sprints, you name it we did it. I loved her so much and my body was in excellent shape.
    I currently take private yoga lessons, I accredit them to helping me fight cancer,calming my mind and increasing my flexibilty.
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    Farrah
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    Even the greatest authority does not, ultimately, know you as you know yourself.
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    Maya Angelou


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    Veteran Member carmenNYC's Avatar
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    Default Re:Personal Training?

    i used to have a trainer when i lived in Florida. he was a friend of mine and was a fantastic trainer- he kicked my ass every time he trained me. i have been into fitness & sports for a long time, and i know all the machines to use, how to use them, all that stuff, but i'm a lazy bastard when i have to drag my own ass to the gym.

    so- if you are lazy AND dont know how to use the machines, a PT will be good for you. just make sure you get the right one.

    but if you can motivate yourself, just get a couple sessions and you will get the hang of it. theres so much fitness info out there its ridiculous, i think PT's will be out of bizz soon.

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